Daniel Steres
#44
Central Defender
Burbank, Calif.
Daniel Steres, the 2015 Galaxy II Team Captain, grew up in Burbank, California, where he attended Calabasas High School. A three-time Jewish Community Center (JCC) Macabi Championship Team member, he earned a scholarship to San Diego State University, where he played all four years. He was selected by Chivas USA with the 28th overall pick in the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft, but signed with Seattle Sounders FC after being selected in the 2012 MLS Waiver Draft.
Steres joined the Wilmington Hammerheads ahead of the 2013 USL Season and went on to lead the team in goals with seven while recording three assists. He was named the team MVP that season before he returned to Southern California to sign with Galaxy II.
What’s your favorite LA Restaurant?
Yamato Steak House
What’s your favorite movie?
Anchorman
Who’s your favorite superhero?
Batman
Who was your favorite soccer player growing up?
Cobi Jones
Who is your favorite soccer team?
Tottenham Hotspur
What is your favorite food?
Steak
Who is the best Dressed on Galaxy II?
Bradley Diallo
Who is the worst dressed on Galaxy II?
Alejandro Covarrubias
If you weren’t playing soccer, what would you do?
Business Finance
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
“Let Me Love You” by Mario
How many tattoos do you have?
Zero
Who or what has influenced you as a leader on the field?
Just watching people like past captains and stuff. At San Diego State, I had a few older guys that led by example. And you always see on TV, the guys who lead their team are usually in the back or the middle. So you always want to try to lead and help in the best way possible, especially when you have a young team like this.
What are some of your favorite memories from your days as a beginner?
Some good club memories. We went to Dallas Cup and won that against the Dutch, FC Groningen on the Dallas field so that was pretty good. We went to Idaho and won regionals, that was fun. But just playing with a good group of friends; we stayed as a team from U-11 to U-19 so that was always fun.
How have you found your transition into Los Dos?
Each one has been a step, and it feels like each year I’m somewhere different but it’s been a growing process. From San Diego State to Seattle into the MLS was quite a jump. I don’t think I took it as well as I could have, or should have, but going to Wilmington and seeing the grind that you go through in USL, especially in a place where they don’t have the resources. And then coming here where they have the resources, and it’s a big great organization, and just trying to excel to push on to the next level again.
How has USL developed over the years?
Obviously it’s has gotten a lot bigger. Better with all the MLS teams coming in and the talent, a lot of young talent coming in so a lot of energy. The crowds are growing and it’s just getting better. The first year I was there, you could get away with having some older players, and playing some direct balls, and just winning games on defense like that. Now there is a lot more talent, you’ve got to get a lot better. The coaches are better; the teams are coached much better. So it’s just better all around, and a lot tougher.
What do you look forward to accomplishing in your future?
In USL there have been a few good awards I’ve gotten, but not even close. I’m looking at the first team guys, and MLS, just trying to push my way up as far as I can. So it starts with doing well in USL and winning, we got to the semifinals last year and it wasn’t good enough. So we’ve got to win that championship this year, you win things and you never know what happens. But I’ve got to help lead these guys, and hopefully it will help push me onto the next level.
Collegiate Honors
- 2011 Co-Captain
- 2010 All-Pac-10 (Second Team)
- 2010 Tri-Captain
- 2010 Jewish Sports Review's Men's All-America College Soccer Team.
- College Soccer News National Team of the Week (Sept. 20)
- 2009 All-Pac-10 (Honorable Mention)
- 2009 Pac-10 All-Academic Team (Honorable Mention)
- 2009 Courtyard Marriott San Diego Central All-Tournament Team
- 2008 Courtyard Marriott San Diego Central Most Valuable Defensive Player
- 2008 SDSU/USD all-tournament team
Professional Honors
- 2007 Wilmington Hammerheads Most Valuable Player
- 2013 USL All-League Second Team
- 2014 USL All-League Second Team
